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Questions & Answers

FAQ

What type of photography is the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE Lens suitable for?

The Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE Lens is ideal for portrait photography, product photography, and architectural photography due to its natural perspective and exceptional image quality.

How does the Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating enhance image quality?

The Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating reduces reflections and glare, ensuring superior brilliance and clarity in images, even in challenging lighting conditions.

What benefits does the nine-blade diaphragm offer?

The nine-blade diaphragm creates a nearly circular aperture, enhancing the bokeh effect and providing smooth background blur, which helps to emphasize the main subject in your photos.

Is the lens mount durable?

Yes, the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE Lens features a robust all-metal mount that ensures durability and consistent image performance over time.

Can the lens be used in low-light conditions?

Yes, the fast f/1.4 aperture of the Zeiss 50mm lens allows for excellent performance in low-light conditions, making it suitable for a variety of lighting environments.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2019-02-28T07:30:32

Rated 5 out of 5

Fantastic lenses

I'm a DP/Director/Editor and I work mainly on fashion films and commercials. I shoot mainly with cine glass, however I own this Zeiss 50mm and the Distagon 21mm and both lenses are powerhouses. Really fast at f1.4, a SUPER smooth focus throw and a really great image regardless of what camera you use these with. I've had mine for ages and they've seen action on everything from a 5D mkii to Alexa Mini and a bunch in between. I would recommend picking one up if you're interested in investing in good glass but don't want to spring for a top tier cine lens kit. I would take these over any Xeen cine lens, any set of Canon or Zeiss CP2 PL mount lenses also. The build is sturdy, the image is sharp without being too digital looking, and I've found the set handles skin tones well also. I probably won't ever sell my set because of how great they are.

STEVEN R.

2017-05-09T19:23:04

Rated 5 out of 5

Awesome lens

I bought this lens about one month ago and I fell in love with it. I was looking for a semi-pro portrait lens for my Nikon d7200 and eager to try a Zeiss product. Beside some initial difficulties with the manual focus (nothing really challenging though), every single shot shows great colors and sharpness! Even if it has not been tested in every condition yet, it looks like a solid and durable lens. I suggest the buying to everyone who wants to step up from a beginner level to an higher one. It is really worth it!

Maria S.

2016-12-28T10:47:48

Rated 4 out of 5

MicroContrast is Stunning! Focusing Stellar!

I purchased this lens for use with my Nikon d810. Manual focusing on this lens is a breeze. I recommend the dk17m, however, to magnify subject matter, especially those without manual focusing experience. Straight out camera without adjustments, the micro-contrast is stunning. This lens offers a its own unique personality to images captured with it. Every photographer should have a 50mm lens, & yes this is it!

brian n.

2016-10-21T14:15:11

Rated 5 out of 5

Excellent on D800

The lens is superb. It is well built, focusing is smooth and accurate, excellent color rendition and sharp; everything a lens such as this is supposed to be. It is manual focus so if auto focus is preferred be aware of this. I checked that I am a hobbyist but I have been a photographer for more than 50 years and consider myself and advanced photographer. I have also owned and used many different 50s. I love this one.

DAVID T.

2015-12-12T16:00:53

Rated 3 out of 5

Sadly, a bit out dated

I tested this on my D810 against my Nikkor 50mm D and 24 - 120mm f4 zoom, and my 45mm Nikkor pancake lens. Sadly this lens had the worse CA of the lot. At this point in time anyone interested in a manual 50mm for digital use should be looking at the Zeiss Milvus range as this lens design is outdated for digital.

Ron G.

2014-06-16T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Sharpness

Besides having "pop," this lens is quite sharp. The following is an enlarged picture of people on the east side of the East River in Queens taken with the Zeiss f1.4/50mm Planar lens from the Manhattan (west) side of the river.

MICHAEL M.

2013-09-06T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Pro Quality, 3D and Rich Color

For all the hype about Zeiss colors and 3-D, I use my Nikon D90 with Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZF.2 to take some pictures, it is so Pro Quality, 3-D and Rich Color, I love this Zeiss lens.

Ken

2013-04-01T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

I would buy from Adorama again and again

Exactly as advertised, delivered on time, just what I wanted.

Erik

2012-12-16T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Nice Lens

I have always loved zeiss lens going back to my Hasselblad days of film.

avidman

2012-05-23T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Amazingly Engaging

This Lens is outstanding.I had my doughts at first,because of its manual focus.But the Sharpness of THIS Lens pulls you into the subject to find that sweet spot of share perfection that it can produce.Whoe! I stop working with My L.100 Macro on a D7 to play with this ziess on a nike D7000. Mondane Objects come to life. I love it!

BRIAN W.

2011-12-26T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

great videography lens

great lens for videography use. Very smooth focus ring. However, for photography use the f-stop from f1.4-2.0 is not very sharp and would not be suitable for pictures sizes larger than 5x7 unless further editing is done inside Photoshop. At f2.8 and above the clarity is very crisp especially at f3.5. overall great lens.

JOSH B.

2011-10-04T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Pro Quality

This equipment is not for every body, is just for pros. Warning, this lens is extremely precise and extremely sharp, if you don't like quality don't buy any of this optics, because no matter what lighting situation you are working in this lens will always give you quality and the results will always be stunning.

Daniel N.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Shoot Like a Pro

Since it doesn't autofocus, you need to buy the split focusing screen to have any chance of getting a focused picture. Even then, it's 50::50 except in bright light with sharp contrasts to work with. However, it is absolutely top quality and makes one jealous of the quality of glass pros use, especially at sports events. The bottom line is that there is a difference, a big difference, between the mundane lenses we generally use and something like this.

GERALD K.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

great lense

I have been frustrated with autofocus cameras cause I could never get the focus where I wanted. This manual lens solved that. Perfect focus every time.

nator

2010-10-07T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

what camera lenses should be

The fit and finish on this lens is fantastic, it feels like good camera lenses used to feel. There is no plastic on the outside of the lens at all, and probably none on the inside judging by how this little jem weighs. Manual focusing with this is no problem, it really needs a focusing screen with some sort of a assist like a microprism etc... though. The focusing ring is very smooth with no slop or inconsistencies in it's motion. If this lense is used correctly, it is wonderfully sharp and renders images very naturally and beautifully, in a way that alot of other 50mm lenses I've used don't. Alot of people trash this lense for "not being sharp wide open"-this lense isn't meant to be used for making perfect reproductions of newspapers and test charts but rather to make beautiful images.

WILLIAM T.

2010-07-18T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

best lens i ever head

Is the best Lens i ever had. I'm using Canon 5d MKII and it gives incredible bokeh and movies in low light are awesome

Al G.

2009-10-04T21:00:00

Rated 3 out of 5

Of limited use to me

Great quality lens, but too heavy for my own usage and does not permit auto-focusing with Canon EOS 40D camera.

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Zeiss 50mm F/1.4 Specifications

  • Focal length

    50mm

  • Aperture range

    f/1.4 - f/16

  • Camera mount

    Canon EF-Mount (ZE)

  • Format compatibility

    Full Frame

  • Focusing range

    17.72" (45cm) - Infinite

  • Free working distance

    13.78" (35cm) - Infinite

  • Angular field

    Diagonal: 45 Degree
    Horizontal: 38 Degree
    Vertical: 26 Degree

  • Diameter of image field

    1.69" (43mm)

  • Coverage at close range (MOD)

    6.30 x 9.45" (160 x 240mm)

  • Image ratio at minimum object distance

    1:6.7

  • Flange focal distance

    1.73" (44mm)

  • Entrance pupil position

    2.13" (54mm) (front of image plane)

  • Filter thread

    M58 x 0.75

  • Rotation angle of focusing ring

    223 Degree

  • Diameter of focusing ring

    2.81" (71mm)

  • Dimensions (Dia. x L)

    With lens caps: 2.80 x 2.80" (71 x 71mm)
    Without lens caps: 2.80 x 1.89" (71 x 48mm)

  • Weight

    13.40 oz (380g)

  • UPC Code

    192223263109

About Zeiss 50mm F/1.4

FEATURED REVIEWS

what camera lenses should be

By WILLIAM T.

The fit and finish on this lens is fantastic, it feels like good camera lenses used to feel. There is no plastic on the outside of the lens at all, and probably none on the inside judging by how this little jem weighs. Manual focusing with this is no problem, it really needs a focusing screen with some sort of a assist like a microprism etc... though. The focusing ring is very smooth with no slop or inconsistencies in it's motion. If this lense is used correctly, it is wonderfully sharp and...

View full Review

best lens i ever head

By Al G.

Is the best Lens i ever had. I'm using Canon 5d MKII and it gives incredible bokeh and movies in low light are awesome

Enhance your photography with the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE Lens for Canon EF, bundled with Hoya 58mm UV and CPL Filters. This lens is designed to capture the essence of character through its versatile standard focal length, which mirrors the perspective of the human eye. Whether you're capturing the sparkle in an eye or the subtle nuances of facial expressions, this lens delivers natural, illuminated, and high-contrast images.

The Zeiss Planar T* 1.4/50 lens is renowned for its fast f/1.4 aperture, allowing for exceptional low-light performance and beautiful bokeh. Its compact design makes it a convenient choice for photographers on the go. At its widest aperture, it excels in producing pleasing portrait-style quality, while sharpening significantly beyond f/4 for versatile general-purpose applications.

Zeiss T* lenses are synonymous with superior image quality, offering unparalleled performance and reliability. The advanced flare control ensures crisp, brilliant images, while virtually zero geometric distortion guarantees precise shape reproduction ideal for product and architectural photography.

The lens features a nine-blade diaphragm, creating a nearly circular aperture that enhances the bokeh effect, allowing photographers to guide the viewer's attention with minimal depth of focus. This design element ensures a harmonious transition in blurred areas, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your images.

Zeiss Classic Lenses have a longstanding reputation for excellence, featuring a robust all-metal mount that maintains consistent functionality and image performance over time. The manual focusing capability encourages creative control, supported by a high-quality focusing mechanism that operates smoothly and precisely.

The Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating is applied to all optical surfaces, ensuring superior brilliance even in challenging lighting conditions. This coating process, pioneered by Zeiss since the 1930s, involves vapor deposition of thin, transparent layers that significantly reduce reflective properties.

Experience precise manual focus with the ergonomic design of Zeiss lenses. The large rotation angle allows for meticulous focusing, with immediate changes visible in the viewfinder. The precise engravings in meters and feet, along with the depth of focus scale, provide additional support for manual focusing, empowering photographers to achieve their desired image results with precision.

Zeiss 50mm F/1.4 Features

  • Reveals character through expressive facial features and colors
  • Focal length mimics human eye perspective for natural images
  • Fast aperture delivers stunning portrait quality and sharpness
  • Superior image quality with advanced flare control and no distortion
  • Nine blades create virtually circular apertures for beautiful Bokeh
  • All-metal mount ensures durability and consistent image performance
  • Ergonomic design with large rotation angle allows for precise manual focus

Warranty Information

This product has a limited warranty of 24 months.

Key Features

  • Versatile 50mm standard focal length mirrors human eye perspective
  • Fast f/1.4 aperture for exceptional low-light performance and stunning bokeh
  • Advanced Zeiss T* anti-reflective coating for superior image brilliance
  • Nine-blade diaphragm for enhanced bokeh and smooth background blur
  • Robust all-metal mount ensures durability and consistent image quality
  • Precise manual focusing with large rotation angle for creative control

What's in the box:

  • Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Planar T* ZE Lens
  • Front & Rear Lens Caps
  • Metal Lens Hood
  • Zeiss 2 Year Limited Warranty (Extended 3 Year Warranty with Registration)
  • Bundle Includes:
  • Hoya NXT Plus 58mm 10-Layer HMC Multi-Coated Circular Polarizer Lens Filter
  • Hoya NXT Plus 58mm 10-Layer HMC Multi-Coated UV Lens Filter
  • ProOptic Complete Optics Care and Cleaning Kit
  • Adorama 5.8x5.8" Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (Small)